Iron Crowned Page 0,99

the one who has to go through it!"

"Why are you fighting me on this?" he exclaimed in disbelief. "You always said you'd do this. Do you want the prophecy to come true? Do you want to have a son who leads armies here from the Otherworld to conquer and enslave?"

"Of course not! You know that."

"Then stop wasting time! Look, if you're scared about getting it done ... you don't have to do it here."

"Oh? I can check in at the Otherworld's Planned Parenthood clinic?"

"No," he said wearily. "But there are potions. Maiwenn could help. Along with healing, she can work all sorts of other medical magic."

"I'm sure she can." I couldn't hide the bitterness in my voice. "And I'm sure she'd be more than happy to."

"Eugenie - "

"Look," I interrupted. "Here's how it is. I don't like your attitude. I don't like you dictating this to me like I'm stupid or something. I know the consequences, okay? And you know where I stand on the prophecy. But I just have to know what exactly is in me first. Two days. We just wait two days for the test."

"And then how long until the results?" he asked. "More time passes. Every day is dangerous."

"But what if it's a girl?" This came from Jasmine. Both Kiyo and I turned to her. "What if Eugenie can have it? You're always going on and on about how awesome Luisa is. Wouldn't you want another one - especially with, like, your actual - sort of - girlfriend?"

"It's not - " Kiyo bit off his words and turned back to me. Those dark eyes studied me, and I felt my anger diffuse as they softened. I felt his love and knew all of this was coming from panic, his fears about the prophecy finally coming true. "Two days," he said at last.

"Two days," I repeated. "And then I'll do the right thing." I wasn't exactly sure what the "right thing" would be if I was having a girl, seeing as motherhood still didn't really jump out at me. But that didn't matter right now. What mattered was that I had the choice.

Then, abruptly and without warning, Kiyo wrapped his arms around me, crushing me to his chest. "I love you," he said, voice shaking. It was the first time he'd spoken those words since we'd gotten back together, and they tore something inside of me. "But I'm just afraid."

"I am too," I said, feeling tears spring into my eyes. Fucking hormones. "Everything'll be okay."

When he released me, I finally really comprehended that Jasmine had witnessed all of this. The dramatic factor had probably trumped anything she could find on TV. Her face was a blank mask now, which made me uneasy. What was she thinking about all this? For so long, she'd wanted to be the one to have the heir. I supposed she should be all for an abortion. Yet ... maybe she was so keen on our father's prophecy that she didn't care who had his grandson, so long as she could ride the power with us.

"I need you to stay with Jasmine tomorrow," I told Kiyo later, when we were lying in bed. "I wish she hadn't found out about this. Maybe I'm overreacting, but I'm worried she'll do something with the information. I could have Volusian watch her like he is now ..." I usually summoned my minion for night watches. "... But I'd feel better with you there."

Kiyo drew the covers up around us. "Where are you going?"

"Where do you think?"

He groaned. "Eugenie, you can't go back there until this mess is settled. If they find out - if anyone finds out - well. All hell will break loose, from those who are for the prophecy and those who are against it."

"I have to," I said. "I realize now that most of my being sick is because ... well, you know. But being apart from those lands is affecting me too. I just need to check in." No more full-fledged meditation sessions, though. I couldn't risk any more telltale signs of my pregnancy from that intense communion. I'd just do the bare minimum required. "And not just with the lands' magic. I need to keep an eye on the Rowan Land's transition."

I feared his reaction, particularly after his earlier outburst. Instead, he brushed a kiss to my lips. "Be careful. Be quick."

"I will." I pushed my lips back, kissing him harder. I moved my body closer to his, wrapping our legs